Formation of the Early Earth

Is Earth Unique?
The right planet
Correct size to support life as we know it
Molten metallic core
Plate tectonics
The right location – distance from the Sun
The right time
Atmosphere has evolved over time
Geologic events have shaped Earth

Birth of a Planet

The history of Earth began about 13.7 billion years ago with the Big Bang
This provided the elements, along with material from former stars, to form the solar system
As material collected, high velocity impacts of matter, called planetesimals, caused Earth’s temperature to increase

Formation of Earth
Iron and nickel melted and sank to form the metallic core while rocky material rose to form the mantle and Earth’s crust Molten metallic core